Last Day of School 2016

Another year of school is in the books! Time really does go by so fast. This time last year we were saying our goodbyes to friends in Virginia. We packed up our lives and started over in California. It has been a crazy and good year.

Here are the kids on the first day of the school year:

Here they are on the last day:

Chris and I started out the day by attending the awards assembly for the 5th graders. I didn't know that Claire would be receiving any awards. Let's just say that she had an amazing year! I am so proud of how hard she has worked and of how she has found herself a great group of friends. It isn't easy moving cross country twice, but she has managed to make it work. Her list of awards included: perfect attendance, the Presidential Award for Academics, 150+ reading points, and the top 5th grade AR reader! She was so happy, and it was really fun for me to see.

 entire 5th grade class

To celebrate the end of elementary school, the 5th graders had a big luau party. I still can't believe that she is headed to middle school next year. I am not ready for that at all. I know she will do great though! 

After Claire's assembly, we went to the one for Grace. She received the perfect attendance award as well. She was very excited. I am also very proud of Grace. She has had a much harder time with this move, but she has persevered. It's not easy finding good friends, but Grace has really put herself out there and been involved with lots of activities. 

Then it was time for kindergarten graduation. I have been sad all week thinking about it. This is really it. My last child is finishing kindergarten. How did that even happen? Where has all of our time gone? I just want him to stay small for a little longer. 

The ceremony that they put on was adorable. His teacher, Mrs. Allen, read a small memory about each child. They received small diplomas and even had a procession. Afterwards was a cookie party. Amazingly, I didn't even cry. I really thought that I'd be a mess, but it worked out. 

Neil also had an amazing year! He has come so far. He is reading and writing and his speech is getting better everyday. I am so grateful for his wonderful teacher! She loved him and he loved being there to learn each day. Neil also received the perfect attendance award from the principal. It was hard to say good-bye to everyone. It really was a wonderful year!

The girls were both sad to leave their friends. We thought it would be fun to cheer everyone up by celebrating at Six Flags. We spent the rest of the day there going on rides. It was pretty fun. We even talked Grace into braving two of the big roller coasters! Now she is hooked. Can't wait to go back again. So long Kindergarten, 2nd, and 5th grade!!

Summer birthdays and Rodeo!

Neil's class celebrated all of the summer birthdays on Thursday. Neil was excited to wear the birthday crown and have all of his friends sing to him!

On Saturday we celebrated Claire's birthday. It was a beautiful day and we took her and a few of her friends to the rec center pool. I brought along tons of snacks, cupcakes, and drinks. The girls played for hours. Claire had a great time. It was a nice low key party.

We also had the chance to go watch the 98th Livermore Rodeo. I really love rodeos! It was great to learn that the people here take rodeo pretty seriously. We showed up early to browse the booths. There were all kind of hats, boots, and iron crafts. We ate overpriced pizza and curly fries and then settled into the stands for the show. There was bronco riding, barrel racing, calf roping, steer wrestling, and bull riding. It was really entertaining! I can't wait to go again next year.

Fieldtrips and Hoedown!

This week I was able to go along with Neil on his class's fieldtrip to Carls Jr. Sounds like a strange place to go, but there you have it. We walked there from the school and then covered the tables with construction paper. The kids were able to color on the tables while a few kids at a time were given a tour of the kitchen. It turned out better than I was expecting. To finish it off the kids were all given a kids meal for lunch.

Yesterday was Grace's turn. I took a car full of her classmates to the bowling alley. It was the entire second grade so it was loud and crazy. We had fun though, and Grace even won her game with a score of 85. 

Today the kids's school celebrated the end of the year with their annual Hoedown. Everyone dresses up in their western wear and each grade performs a dance. It was really fun to watch all the kids doing square dances and reels. They all seemed to have a good time. 

Awards, baseball and Party!!

School is winding down. We are in the last 2 weeks. There are activities planned almost everyday. Last week Neil was recognized in the assembly as a student of the month. The trait for the month was "Integrity". He was very surprised and happy to be called up.

We also went to Open House at the kids's school. It was fun to see all of their hard work and to enjoy a BBQ dinner with all of our friends. I really liked Grace's prediction for where she will be in 20 years. Apparently she will be back in Oregon and have three kids of her own. 

Neil had his end of the year celebration for baseball on a very hot 100 degree day. We were all dying out in the sun waiting for him to receive his trophy, yearbook, and t-shirt. He was very happy to get that trophy! Don't mind the Gatorade stained face. 

That same night we all went to the park for a hot dog BBQ and water gun fun! We had a great evening relaxing in the shade with all of the families from his team. The kids had a blast soaking each other with water balloons and super soakers. It was a fun season with the Rockies!

even got to do a little batting with water balloons ;)

The other big event that we had this weekend was Neil's early birthday party. Since he is a July baby his parties have always been just a family affair. Usually by then most of his friends are all on vacation. This year I decided that he deserved a big party with lots of kids from school. So, I booked a jumpy place for June. He was so excited! It was fun to see him so happy to have so many friends at his party. 

The kids jumped, climbed, and played air hockey for an hour and twenty minutes and then we went into the party room for pizza and creeper cake! It was a hit. All of the kids were excited to see the green cake. It was perfect and totally worth the splurge! The only thing I had to do was bring the cake. Very stress free fabulous party! It will be hard to go back to house parties next year. :)

Neil received so many really fun gifts from his friends. Lots of Minecraft figures and even a sword. He was in heaven! We will celebrate with just our family in July, but for now happy early birthday Neil!